SALVAGE THE SALVOS

i had a fun half hour in the local Salvos today, and scored some pretty great finds. but it's become known to me during my past few op shopping trips that the op shops are struggling. i striked up a conversation with one shop owner a few weeks ago (it was at a city-fringe Salvos and i was curious as to why the items were a little more expensive in this shop compared to others - the answer to this was that price is based on location, what?!). anyway, i also found out that some stores are struggling to stay open due to lack of business. when i mentioned this to a Vinnies lady, she said that stores like Rivers and Kmart etc buy bulk and can sell at these ridiculously low prices, and that op shops can't compete.

the concept that op shopping could be a thing of the past has me worried. not only for my own selfish needs, but also for the behind-the-scenes reasons that these stores operate for - to help people. homeless, financial problems, addictions, suicide prevention, family issues, gambling and more! and not to mention the thousands of volunteers who work at the stores. so, i guess my post today is about pleading your inner op-shopper to get back out there. next time you drive past one, stop and have a look, surprise op shop finds are the best. next time you log on to your fav online store, turn off the computer and hit up the op shops instead. seriously take $20 with you and just have a ball.

check out this website to find your nearest op shop: http://opshop.org/

here's my $20 worth from today:

OLYMPIC STYLE

This week has been a buzz with the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Sydney. I'm happy to admit I've been spending every minute on Instagram following the buzz, and why not when such beauties as Lara Bingle & Whitney Eve are on my Instagram radar! But seeing the hottest and craziest looks hitting the catwalk isn't what I'm excited about the most - no, instead, it's all about the unveiling of the 2012 Olympic Team opening ceremony outfits!

One word comes to mind - vintage! I've been a vintage fan since 2003 (yes I can pin point the year exactly, it's when I had a dress up theme party called "back of your closet" where we had to find items of clothing that looked like they had been hidden in the closet for years! Well this whole exercise made me so happy, exploring the op shops for the best finds, and then wearing each garment with pride knowing it's having a second chance to shine! My addiction started from there, wanting to bring back to life the amazing op shop item I found!) ... Anyway, I was so happy to open the morning newspaper and see the new design for our Olympic team, and secretly wished at that moment that I was somehow a genetically talented gymnist and could enrol for a late admission!

Sportscraft are the ones behind this amazing new look. A vintage inspired forest green sports jackets teamed with crisp white drill skirts for women, and preppy white trousers for men. There is also Volley who have created a new version of their iconic volley-shoe for the Games, with a white shoe featuring green and navy woven trim, green laces and a green leather tongues.

For once I may be willing to watch the Olypmic opening ceremony this year (well at least they go in alphabetical order right?!)